****OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

 OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

 

Who is the loneliest person in your church? It just might be your pastor.

 

In a survey conducted about ten years ago, the Fuller Institute of Church Growth reported the following statistics:
· 70% of pastors surveyed had no one they considered to be a close friend.
· 80% felt that their ministries negatively affected their families. 
· 75% reported a serious stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
· 50% felt unable to meet the demands of the job.
· 90% felt inadequately trained to cope with job demands.
· 70% had a lower self-image than when they started in ministry
· 40% had serious conflicts with parishioners at least once a month.
· 50% had considered leaving the ministry within the past three months.

 

If your pastor is typical, he works 60 or more hours a week and he does it cheerfully and graciously for considerably less compensation than other professionals with comparable education and qualifications. He and his family are closely scrutinized and highly criticized. He is called on to perform countless duties and receives little appreciation. One research group has identified pastors as “the most frustrated people in America.”

 

Their pressures are tremendous. We expect them to be sensitive counselors, dynamic orators, charismatic motivators, model spouses, ideal parents, and expert CEOs. But most of them entered the ministry in response to the call of God to simply preach His Word and care for His people.

 

When was the last time you thanked your pastor?  Why not show your appreciation by dropping a card or treating him to dinner?  Or, if you are so inclined, you might give him a paid vacation to Tahiti.

 

“(Those) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” I Tim. 5:17

AMERICA'S WAR CASUALTIES

 

America’s War Casualties

 

This chart provides a graphic illustration and comparison of the number of war casualties in all of America’s wars. Each cross represents 25,000 people killed.
Revolutionary War, (25,324) - +

Civil War (498,332) - +++++++++++++++++++
World War I (116,516) - +++++
World War II (545,108) - +++++++++++++++++++++
Korean War (54,108) - ++
Viet Nam War (56,555) - ++
Afghanistan and Iraq Gulf War (4,660) -
America’s War On the Unborn

Jan 22, marked the 49th anniversary of the most tragic Supreme Court fiat in America’s history. The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of seven unelected justices legalized the killing of unborn babies in America. There have been over 63 million casualties in this war on the unborn.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

May God have mercy on us.

ELECTIONS AND THE MY FLATULENCE DOESN'T STINK SYNDROME

 Elections and the “MY FLATULENCE DOESN’T STINK” SYNDROME

I noticed something a few years ago that I call a “minority equals a majority phenomenon.” I first noticed it in opinion polls about public education. It went something like this:

Most Americans (approx. 84%) believe that public schools are failing miserably in educating children. But the weird thing is that approximately 84% of them believe that their own local school is the rare exception. Similarly, whether it is true or not, a majority of people believe that public school teachers are incompetent but their own child’s teacher is excellent. So the outcome is obvious. The overwhelming majority of people will always vote to retain their corrupt school boards and will protect their incompetent, unionized, teachers because theirs are good. Everyone else’s are bad. In other words, “my flatulence doesn’t stink.”

But that’s not the only place this phenomenon occurs. Just a few years ago, the American people were outraged that Congress had not passed a budget for OVER 1000 DAYS. Furthermore, Congress’ approval rating was at an all-time low of 13%. That means 87% of Americans thought they were corrupt and incompetent and needed to be thrown out.

And figure this: 64% of Americans favored a balanced budget amendment. We needed it, we wanted it, but Congress lacked the discipline and the will to do what each of us must do every day: BUDGET OUR RESOURCES AND LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. And yet our representatives (those we had elected from our own districts and sent to DC to protect our interests) had thumbed their noses at us and said NO. The 26% minority prevailed.

How do things like that happen? It’s the “my flatulence doesn’t stink” syndrome. “My representative is GOOD. Everyone else’s is BAD.”

So we all keep reelecting the same incompetent, corrupt, self-serving, career politicians who continue to shaft us at every opportunity and all we do is complain.

I see it all the time. For most of my life, I lived in the People’s Republik of Kalifornia and every day I heard people complain about over-regulation, punitive taxation, and oppressive government. And when I asked them, “How did you vote in the last election?” the majority always answer the same way; they either didn’t vote at all OR they voted for the same old, big government, fat cat, incumbents because, “My Flatulence Doesn’t Stink.”

Elections have consequences. When we vote wrong we get exactly what we deserve.

THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB

 THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB

 

Nearly every morning for over 40 years, it has been my habit to meet with some Good Old Boys for coffee.  Over the years, some have moved, and some have died, but we always managed to pick up new acquaintances along the way.  The faces have changed but the dynamic of the meetings has not.  A few months ago, I said goodbye to my old friends on the left coast and moved to Rogersville.  

 

During several road trips over the past year, I noticed that, wherever I stopped for breakfast, I saw similar Good Old Boys’ coffee clubs.  In fact, I believe that these little cliques exist in nearly every community in the nation.    

 

So, what is it that holds them together?

 

Certainly, we have discussions about politics and obituaries, but beyond that, it is just guy stuff; that’s all!  At our age, we repeat stuff but that's okay because we forget stuff, too.  So, it’s the same old stories, the same stupid jokes, and THE SAME PERSONAL INSULTS.

 

My wife thinks our insults are cruel, but she doesn’t understand.  Today, everything that offends someone or hurts someone’s feelings is called bullying.   People run to safe spaces and cry whenever they hear something that doesn’t agree with them.

 

Not so with Good Old Boys.  In our early morning meetings, we have polished and perfected the manly art of sarcasm.  We make fun of each other and we insult each other’s physical appearances, disabilities, and behavior.  Nobody is immune.  And at the end of the hour we all say goodbye and then we reassemble the next morning and it starts all over again. 

 

That’s what Good Old Boys do.  That’s how we express our affection for each other (although most of us would deny that there is any “affection”).

 

Well, now that I am finally settled into my new home in Eastern Tennessee, I am happy to announce that it didn’t take long to find a new group of Good Old Boys to fill the void.  They have welcomed me and made me feel right at home as we start each day with the same stories, stupid jokes, and lots of insults.

 

Jesus and Judas (revised)

 About ten years ago, I promised a Facebook friend that I would address a concern he had about a newly released movie, “The Son of God.”  For the record, I have NOT, nor will I ever see the movie so I really cannot offer an informed critique. If you are looking for that, there is ample on the internet.

Nevertheless, there is one major, troubling bit of subtle heretical content of which I became aware and on that portion alone, I had decided that I WILL NOT view the movie.

The scene has to do with Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. It was when Jesus is eating the Passover meal with His disciples that He suddenly has a surprising, revelatory vision of Judas betraying Him. Then He turns to Judas to convince him (against his will) to do it.

This is nothing new; we saw something similar in “Jesus Christ, Superstar.” That ancient heresy is rooted in Gnosticism. 

The Gospel of Judas is NOT a book in the Bible. In it is found a man named Judas who is not the man portrayed in the Word of God. This other Judas is described as Jesus’ closest friend and most trusted confidant who is the only one of the twelve who really understood what Jesus needed to do. This Judas was an unwilling betrayer and Jesus had to take him into His confidence and convince him of this holy, high calling. 

So, out of loyalty to his beloved friend, and with grief in his heart, Judas delivers Jesus over to the Romans. Thus Judas, according to this fake narrative, was an obedient servant.

So there is the one scene where Jesus convinced Judas to act, that bothered me. The Gospel of Judas is NOT a gospel nor is it inspired scripture. I find it odd that, even though the writers and filmmakers insisted that their intent was to accurately portray Jesus in strict accordance with the Bible, they would draw from a heretical religion with a heretical tradition drawn from a heretical book to show us a picture of a fake Jesus and an exonerated Judas.

So, based on that one scene alone, I will not waste my time or money on this heretical movie. 

CONSTITUTION DAY

If you believe that our federal government is devoted to protecting our constitution and our civil rights, then you must be either brain-dead or a willing participant in the destruction of America.

Four days ago, Sept. 17, was the anniversary of our nation's Constitution, so I want to take this opportunity to remind or inform you of some facts. Our rights do not come from our government. They derive from God. They are inalienable; that means they cannot be taken away.

When they were first inaugurated, every one of our elected politicians swore an oath to protect and uphold our constitution. Lots of them didn’t really mean it.

These days we have many elected representatives who mandate laws without the consent of the people. But illegal laws are not constitutional and there are plenty of us out here in Real America, who will not obey illegal laws. And many of us are inspired, instructed, and dutifully motivated by the preamble to our Declaration of Independence. I have paraphrased that document here in plain, modern language for your convenience. I hope this will help.

“There are some things that are just absolutely and fundamentally true. In fact, they are so universally evident and understood that they don’t even need to be argued or defended. One of those absolute truths is that we are all created by God. And because He is the creator and the giver of life, no one, and no government has the right to arbitrarily take the life of another. Nor does anyone have the right to own, control, or hold another person hostage. And, no one has the right to deny any other person the opportunity to pursue his dreams or ambitions. The right to life, the right to be free and the right to pursue happiness are all rights that are granted to men by God, not by any government.

“In order to secure and protect their God-given rights, it is the responsibility of men to organize governments, for themselves, whose ONLY powers are those that are granted to them by the willing consent of the people. And, with those powers, they must act righteously for the good of those they govern.

“Whenever any government becomes so destructive or oppressive that it threatens or diminishes these basic rights of its people, it is the responsibility of the people to change or abolish that government and create a new one that will most effectively secure their safety, freedom, well-being, and happiness.

“Governments that have been well-established and that have served well over long periods of time must be wise. and very careful to remember their fundamental purpose and not substantively deviate from it for frivolous or fleeting causes. History has shown that most men will endure a lot of abuse and persecution and even evil at the hands of their governments as long as they think the abuses are tolerable because, over time, they become accustomed to them. Resistance is hard work and, frankly, it is much easier to just endure government encroachment as much as possible.

“But when a government becomes so abusive and oppressive; when it systematically erodes the freedoms of the very people who established it and empowered it in the first place, to the point that it becomes tyrannical or dictatorial, it is the right, - no, it is the duty of men to overthrow that government and to organize a new system to guard their future security."

The current Democrat party has been hijacked; it is not the benevolent, God-fearing party of my parents and grandparents. It already has and no doubt will continue to make our lives increasingly more miserable. We have no reasonable assurance that it will not continue to dispatch federal thugs and goons to harass and intimidate us to the point of restricting our travel, seizing our property, incarcerating us, or even killing us. That’s what tyrants do, and the party has shown us no good reason to expect less after the next election.

Nevertheless, understand and take comfort in this; there is a great, patriotic resistance out here across our nation. Millions of us who value liberty more than safety and comfort are, if necessary, willing to bleed or even make ultimate sacrifices for our freedom.

So, in closing be prepared, vote right, and pray for God’s continued blessings on the United States of America.

Your Representative Swore An Oath To YOU

 I don't care what political party you identify with; I don't care what color you are; I don't care about your gender, your ancestry, your economic status, or your religion. If you are a citizen of the United States of America and you value your freedom, this post should mean something to you.

Your congressional representative, when he (or she, or it, or whatever) was elected, stood up, raised his right hand, and swore this oath to YOU.

"I ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

In the past, our nation has had presidents, congressmen, and senators, who have trashed and trampled our constitution. They were lawless criminals whose actions were destructive to our culture, economy, safety, and happiness. And now, we clearly have too many who are truly intentional domestic (or maybe foreign) enemies of the state and Congress (our elected representatives) has the constitutional responsibility and authority to STOP THEM and IMPEACH THEM.

And if any congressman (or congresswoman or whatever) will not keep his promise to protect us, he is an enemy of the people and deserves to be removed from his office in the next election.

Write to YOUR congressman and tell him to shape up or get out. And remember, VOTE RIGHT ON ELECTION DAY.

MY FIRST LETTER TO JOE BIDEN (revised)

This was my FIRST letter to Joe Biden.

Dear Mr. Biden.

Why am I on your email list of Democrat supporters? Do you know? Not a day goes by that I don’t get donation appeals to support your presidential campaigns or your party's foolish falderal. So, I'm asking again; do you know who I am and why I am on your list?

Well, I do know so allow me to tell you.

You see, for several years now, I have been on the DNC email list of supporters ever since I first wrote a sarcastic birthday message to your former president.

That was the trigger. As much as I tried with rude, obnoxious, and downright disrespectful responses, Barack Obama, His wife (?), and all his mind-numbed minions continued to thank me and solicit more donations. The fact that they placed my name on the DNC supporter list made it obvious that they (and you) don’t care about your constituents. THEY NEVER BOTHER TO READ ANY CORRESPONDENCE THEY RECEIVE.

And so here I am, a Conservative, a Christian, and an America-loving citizen who will NEVER vote for you or any of your Democrat cronies, and yet, I remain on your list of brain-dead minions.

And YOU all think I am a supporter and potential donor. Furthermore, I would bet that YOU too, didn't and will never read my letters.

I am happy about one thing. For years I wanted a membership in the National Rifle Association but I could not afford it. But that all changed a few years ago when I started getting donation requests from Barack Obama. He wasn’t asking for much; just a mere $3.00. So every time He, or your party, asked me to help with a $3 donation, I put three bucks away. You don't know just how quickly it all added up and every year, on my birthday, I would take enough of the money to buy myself a present; I sent it to the NRA for my annual membership dues.

So I am writing this letter to thank you and the DNC. I trust you will be pleased to know that I had accumulated enough to purchase a LIFE MEMBERSHIP in the National Rifle Association.

Again, I say Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for the wonderful birthday present.

P.S. PLEASE keep sending your appeals to my email address; I have some grandsons who would also like to be NRA members.

Sincerely,

Ralph M. Petersen

(doing my part to Make America Great Again) 

       content list  ALWAYS RIGHT, SOMETIMES WRONG 

Published Opinions

 1.      2-19-20        Long Live the Good Old Boys Club

 2.      9-14-20        A Reader's Letter To President Donald Trump

 3.      7-31-20        Elections and the "My Flatulence Doesn't Stink" syndrome

 4.      9-28-20        October Is Pastor Appreciation Month

 5.     10-19-20       Vote Right

 6.     11-14-20       The Best Thing You Can Do To Honor Our Veterans

 7.     11-25-20       GIVING THANKS TO GOD

 8.     12-09-20       Athens Election Fraud

 9.     12-16-20       Jello Politicians

10.    12-23-20       Boys Need Fathers

11,    12-30-20       The Death of A Republic

12.    1-6-21           Socialized Medicine

13.    1-13-21         I'll Keep My Polyps

14.    1-20-21         Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

15.    1-30-21         Wombmates

16.    2-5-21           Covid19 Vaccinations

17.    2-8-21           The Second Amendment

18.    2-17-21         The Story of St. Valentine

19.    2-24-21         Chinese Fortune Cookie

20.    3-10-21         MY EARLY EXIT PLAN

21.    3-17-21         GOD'S PROVIDENCE PROVIDES REAL WORDS OF COMFORT

22.    3-24-21         Face Coverings.

23.    3-31-21        More Justification for the second amendment

24.    4-28-21        K IS FOR KEEPER

25.    5-5-21          THE GLORIFICATION OF SELF-ESTEEM

26.    5-12-21        MAMAS, LET YOUR BOYS GROW UP TO BE MEN

27.    5-26-21        FREEDOM IS NOT FREE    

28.    6-2-21          HOLY HOARDING AND SACRED JUNK

29.    6-8-21          THE WORLD IS ROUND

30.    6-16-21        A FATHERS DAY TRIBUTE

31.    6-22-21        INNIES AND OUTIES

32.    6-29-21        INDEPENDENCE DAY

33.    7-7- 21         DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH FACTS

34.    7-21-21        I AM A THICK-SKINNED CONSERVATIVE

35.    7-28-21        BIG TENT ATTRACTIONS

36.    8-4-21         FINALLY, NOW I CAN MARRY MY TRUE LOVE  

37.    8-11-21       LADIES, PLEASE SHOW US SOME MERCY

38.    8-18-21       FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

39.    8-30-21       MISSING BODY PARTS

40.    9-8-21         WHO IS GOD (PART 1)

41.    9-14-21       WHO IS GOD (PART 2)

42.    9-22-21       WHO IS GOD (PART 3)

43.    9-29-21       WHO IS GOD (PART 4)

44.    10-6-21       WHO IS GOD (PART 5)

45.    10-13-21    BIBLICAL CHURCH GROWTH

46.    10-20-21    GRAMMATICAL GENDER CONFUSION DISORDER        

47.    10-27-21    HALLOWEEN IS A PAGAN HOLIDAY

48.    11-3-21      HALLOWEEN IS A PAGAN HOLIDAY  

49.    11-10-21    VELVET-COVERED BRICKS

50.    11-17-21    SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD

51.    11-24-21    GIVING THANKS TO GOD

52.    12-1- 21    WHEN THEY CRIMINALIZE EVERYTHING, EVERYONE WILL BE                                                 A  CRIMINAL

53.    12-8-21      PULPIT PROFANITY AND POTTY-MOUTHED PREACHERS

54.    12-15-21    CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR MEN

55.    12-23-21    MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY HOLIDAY

56.    12-29-21    IGNORANT ATTORNEYS AND AXE-WIELDING JUDGES

57.    1-5-22        DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT DOCTRINE ANYMORE?

58.    1-12-22      THE GRAY BRIGADE

59.    1-19-22      INVASION OF THE BODY CAVITIES

60.    1-26-22     WHY I IGNORE ENVIRONMENTALIST FEAR MONGERS  

61.    2-2-22       THE BOOK, THE BLOOD, AND THE BLESSED HOPE

62.    2-9-22       FREE STUFF

63.    2-15-22    THE STORY OF ST. VALENTINE

64.    2-22-22    GOOD CHARACTER IS AN ARCHAIC AND UNAPPRECIATED VIRTUE

65.    2-28-22    MY CRASH OF RHINOS

66.    3-2-22      FREEDOM OF SPEECH

67.    3-6-22      THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT LIFE & LEADERSHIP FROM  THE RHINO

68.     3-22-22   THERE ARE TWO CULTURES; LAWS APPLY TO ONLY ONE

69.     4-6-22     CONGRESSIONAL JELLO

70.     4-13-22    RESSURECTION DAY HERESY

71.     4-20-22    LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN

72.     4-29-22    MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS YOU

73.     5-4-22     A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS

74.     5-11-22   HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW         

75.     5-18-22    AMERICA'S WAR CASUALTIES

76.     5-25-22   FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS

77.     6-1-22     LEGALIZED INFANTICIDE

78.     6-8-22     FEED ME

79.    6-15-22    MY HIGH-POWERED ASSAULT HAMMER

80.    6-26-22   FACEBOOK REWRITES GENESIS 1:27

81.    6-29-22   THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

82.    7-04-22   Independence Day (rerun) 

83.    7-23-22   BRAIN-DEAD DOOFUS

84.    8-3-22     IS IT A TUMOR

85.    8-9-22     UNIVERSAL GOV'T HEALTH CARE

86    8-16-22   AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE STUFF

87.   8-23-22   FINAL AUTHORITY

88.   8-30-22   WHOSE CHILDREN ARE THEY

89.   9-8-22     RESCUED AND RESTORED

90.  9-15-22   GRANDPARENTS DAY

91.  9-20-22   PIZZA FROM HEAVEN

92.  9-27-22   CONSTITUTION DAY

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

SHOULD CHRISTIANS VOTE?

             

 

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

A FATHER'S DAY TRIBUTE

AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE STUFF

AMERICA'S WAR CASUALTIES

A READER'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

ATHENS ELECTION FRAUD

A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS

(THE) BEST THING YOU CAN DO TO HONOR OUR VETERANS

BOYS NEED FATHERS

BIG TENT ATTRACTIONS

BIBLICAL CHURCH GROWTH

BRAIN-DEAD DOOFUS

COVID 19 VACCINATIONS

CHINESE FORTUNE COOKIE

CONGRESSIONAL JELLO

CONSTITUTION DAY

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR MEN

(THE) DEATH OF A REPUBLIC

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH FACTS

DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT DOCTRINE ANYMORE?

ELECTIONS AND THE "MY FLATULENCE DOESN'T STINK" SYNDROME

FACE COVERINGS

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE 

FINAL AUTHORITY

FINALLY, NOW I CAN MARRY MY TRUE LOVE 

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE 

FREE STUFF

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS

FEED ME

FACEBOOK REWRITES GENESIS 1:27

GIVING THANKS TO GOD

GOD'S PROVIDENCE PROVIDES REAL WORDS OF COMFORT

GRAMMATICAL GENDER CONFUSION DISORDER

GIVING THANKS TO GOD

GRANDPARENTS DAY

THE GRAY BRIGADE

GOOD CHARACTER IS AN ARCHAIC AND UNAPPRECIATED VIRTUE

HOLY HOARDING AND SACRED JUNK

HALLOWEEN IS A PAGAN HOLIDAY

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

I'LL KEEP MY POLYPS

INNIES AND OUTIES

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence Day (rerun) 

I AM A THICK-SKINNED CONSERVATIVE

INVASION OF THE BODY CAVITIES

IGNORANT ATTORNEYS AND AXE-WIELDING JUDGES

IS IT A TUMOR

JELLO POLITICIANS

K IS FOR KEEPER

LONG LIVE THE GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB

LADIES, PLEASE SHOW US SOME MERCY

LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN

LEGALIZED INFANTICIDE

MY EARLY EXIT PLAN

MORE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE SECOND AMENDMENT

MAMAS, LET YOUR BOYS GROW UP TO BE MEN

MISSING BODY PARTS

MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY HOLIDAY

MY CRASH OF RHINOS

MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS YOU

MY HIGH-POWERED ASSAULT HAMMER

OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

PIZZA FROM HEAVEN

PULPIT PROFANITY AND POTTY-MOUTHED PREACHERS

RESCUED AND RESTORED

RESSURECTION DAY HERESY

SOCIALIZED MEDICINE

SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD

THE SECOND AMENDMENT

THE STORY OF ST. VALENTINE

THE GLORIFICATION OF SELF-ESTEEM

THE WORLD IS ROUND

THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT LIFE & LEADERSHIP FROM  THE RHINO

THE BOOK, THE BLOOD, AND THE BLESSED HOPE

THERE ARE TWO CULTURES; LAWS APPLY TO ONLY ONE

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

UNIVERSAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE

VELVET COVERED BRICKS

VOTE RIGHT

WHEN THEY CRIMINALIZE EVERYTHING, EVERYONE WILL BE A  CRIMINAL

WHO IS GOD (PART 1)

WHO IS GOD (PART 2)

WHO IS GOD (PART 3)

WHO IS GOD (PART 4)

WHO IS GOD (PART 5)

WHOSE CHILDREN ARE THEY

WHY I IGNORE ENVIRONMENTALIST FEAR MONGERS 

WOMBMATES

THINGS I WANTED TO SAY BUT MY WIFE WOULDN'T LET ME

I have been waiting a long time to get this off my chest.  These are some of the things I have wanted to say but my wife objected because she was afraid it would have an adverse effect on our business.

But now, since we have closed her store, we have moved far, FAR away from the "sophisticated," "self-centered," and "entitled" elites on the west coast to a place where normal, respectful people are in the majority.   So I am finally going to dump this whole load of greivances for your edification.  And furthermore, I am writing this on behalf of most business owners who agree with me but are afraid to speak up.

Here are nine of my pet peaves in no particular order. 

1. Don’t get all huffy and insulted by me just because I referred to your little boy as “her.”  It’s not my fault he looks like a girl; it’s yours.  Get him a haircut and some boys’ clothing.  And furthermore, teach him some anatomy.  Tell him to look between his legs.  If he sees something there, HE’S A BOY.

2. Number One applies to adults too.  If I can’t readily tell if you are male or female, it’s your fault; not mine. 

3. When you came in to apply for employment with metallic orange hair, facial tats, nose hair extensions, and you looked like a pincushion, did you really think I might hire you?  I'm trying to run a respectable business and you are scary-looking.

4. When you brought your children into my store and you said to them, “Don’t touch anything!”  I was impressed.  But that didn't last long.  When you needed to repeat it three times before your little brats cleared the threshold, just know this; WE DON’T WANT YOU IN OUR STORE!

5. To the little lady who came in looking for a wedding dress, did you really expect me to believe that you didn’t know your dress size?   When you saw one that appealed to you and asked to try it on, I asked your size. That wasn’t intended to be an insult.  You told me you didn’t know your size but you wanted to try a size 6.  When I said, “I don’t think it will fit because I think you are probably about size 12 – 14,” I didn’t intend that to be an insult.  I was just trying to be kind because you REALLY looked more like a size 43 and I didn’t want you to ruin our garment by forcing the zippers and stretching the seams around your Pilsberry Doughboy physique.

Besides, why would a forty-six-year-old, divorced woman want a white wedding gown anyway?

6. Our stuff is for sale.  It is not here for your abuse or entertainment.  And our clothing is not here for you to try on just to take “selfies” for the amusement of your friends on Facebook. 

7. Why do you think it is okay for your little, out-of-control, brats to play with our stuff?   It’s like they have never been told “NO.”  Oh, that’s probably because you’ve NEVER TOLD THEM NO!

8. Yes!  We do allow dogs in our store.  Why wouldn’t we?  After all, we allow undisciplined kids.  No dog has ever urinated on our carpets, spilled food or drinks, destroyed merchandise, stuck bubble gum on our clothing, or kicked, screamed, and pitched fits when they didn’t get what they wanted.  That’s what bratty, undisciplined kids do. 

9.  If you don’t like fur coats or leather boots made from real animal hides,  DON’T BUY THEM!  Nobody is forcing you.

10. When you have to count to three, in order to control your brats, please know this.  We already know, before you start, that you, apparently, don’t know what comes after two and so, we don’t want your kids in our store.    What are they learning from you when you never get to three?  When you say “One, two, two and a half, two and three quarts, two and seven eighths, OK this time I really mean it.  Stop it right now!  This time I really, Really, REALLY mean it,” your precious little monsters already know that you don't mean NO!

You will never get to three because, if you do,  you will have to follow through with consequences.  Your kids have learned that they do not need to obey at the first or second count.  And they probably already know that you will never say three.  They have learned that there are NO CONSEQUENCES for their bad behavior. 

You are raising little juvenile delinquents who will someday be big criminals.  Just count to three and mean it or, better yet, spank the precious little monsters.

For all my other fellow store owners: YOU’RE WELCOME!

SO THAT WE NEVER FORGET

I’m posting this for two reasons:

1. SO THAT WE NEVER FORGET
2. To inform a generation of ignorant young people who have wasted years in public indoctrination facilities (schools) where they learned NOTHING worthwhile about real science, history, biology, or basic reading, writing, and math skills.

REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST

Most people have heard the numbers – approximately 6 million Jew were exterminated by Hitler's nazi regime.  But that was not the total extent of Hitler's list. There were millions of others killed among which were:
About 5.5 million Soviet civilians who refused to bow down to Hitler's regime.
Nearly 3 million prisoners of war.
Approximately 1.8 million non-Jewish Polish civilians.
312,000 Serb civilians
Around 250,000 institutionalized elderly people with various disabilities.
Between 196,000–220,000 Roma (gypsies).
1,900 Jehovah's Witnesses.
At least 70,000 repeat criminal offenders who were deemed to be socially unfit.
An undetermined number of German political opponents and resistance activists in Axis-occupied territories.
And at least 250,000 Homosexuals.

The real casualties, of Hitler’s regime, are estimated to be about 11,000,000 (eleven million).
That is equal to the entire population of Wyoming, Washington DC, Vermont, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Alaska, Delaware, Montana, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Hawaii COMBINED!

We are raising a whole generation of young people who are enthralled with and attracted to Nazism. To them, I offer this warning: You are really going to hate the new world you are trying to create. Wake up before you screw up this country. And learn to VOTE RIGHT.

****LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN ABOUT CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

(This is NOT an open letter; it is a copy of my real letter sent on April 2, 2022, to Joe Biden, the President of the United States.)

Dear Mr. President,

I am in full agreement with your Democrat party, your predecessor, Barack Obama, and the mainstream, fake news media; it is time for you to step up and do something about mass shootings and other fatal gun crimes.

 

But gun control is NOT the remedy.  Here is what we, the freedom-loving, law-abiding citizens of the United States, deserve and should expect from you and our government.

 

We don't need long, drawn-out psychological investigations or excuses about what occurs in the shooters' heads. It doesn't matter if the shooters are mentally ill. Nor does it matter why they shoot. Knowing why is not going to bring back the dead, satisfy their families, or protect our society.

 

What we need from our government is swift and fair trials for the accused. And, if they are convicted, we need long incarcerations without early release or, better yet, speedy executions. That is the biblical and the constitutional responsibility of our government; to "wield the sword" in the execution by a blind (that means indiscriminate) system of justice. 

 

The commission of crimes must have just and deterring (an eye for an eye) consequences for criminals; we don't need our government to administer rehabilitation, correction, medical or psychological treatments, or any other ineffective, touchy-feely nonsense. 

 

So, Mr. President, you should man up and insist on the right and appropriate constitutional punishment of all criminals, NOT their victims. And if our government starts doing its job, the penal system can be, once again, an effective deterrent.  Crime rates will decrease, you will be respected, and we, the people, will all be safer. (And, by the way, I wonder why Hillary still walking around free?  But I digress.) 

 

Your first 15 months in office have been disastrous but there is still time for you to man up, and re-direct and restore some semblance of honor to you and your office. You have the opportunity to either protect or destroy this nation. You have the constitutional authority to enact justice, punish real criminals, and protect all the patriotic law-abiding citizens who really love this country.

 

Mr. President, this letter just addresses one aspect of your disastrous leadership (or lack thereof). Your actions will determine your legacy. Will you be remembered as the president who passed the buck or hid his face during our country's destruction, or will you be honored among a few great leaders who worked hard to uphold our constitution, protect our heritage, and keep America great? You still have time to exercise some courage, protect our great nation, and redeem your honor but, frankly, I don't believe you have the will or the desire to serve and protect our constitution and our country.

 

I hope I am wrong. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

 

Ralph M. Petersen

(mailed to the White House on Feb. 16, 2018)

Does Antinomianism Characterize My Church's Doctrines?

Because this year marked the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation, we reviewed the “Five Solas” that are sometimes called the Doctrines of Grace.  After discussing Sola Gratia (salvation by grace alone), someone asked me, “Is ours an antinomian church?”   Here is my answer:

I hope not but it seems to be evident in the minds of a lot of church attendees, these days, who want to make excuses for all kinds of sin.

I try to avoid using secular dictionaries to define spiritual or biblical terms, mainly because our language is constantly changing according to contemporary usage and not according to what words actually meant when they were first used.

The simple contemporary dictionary definition for antinomianism is the belief that, under the gospel dispensation of grace, the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.

So, let me reemphasize—Our salvation is by GRACE ALONE.  That simply means that it is an action that results from God’s goodness and cannot be earned or deserved by any attempts on our part, to be good or do good.  God saves unworthy sinners.  Keeping the law perfectly is impossible so if any part of our salvation were based on our works, we would all fail, and all fall short of His glory, and all be condemned to eternal judgment.

 

The dictionary definition is fairly accurate, but it only mentions the moral law which is still in effect on Christians today.   I think the definition needs some clarification.

    

The problem (or confusion) arises in the heresy that twists the definition by implying that, because we live in a dispensation or “age of grace,” we are no longer bound to any of God’s laws including His moral laws; we’re saved by grace and therefore we are eternally secure.  We don’t even need to try because God will simply overlook all our sins.

Antinomianism is contrary to everything the Bible teaches.  God expects us to live a life of morality, integrity, and love.  Jesus Christ freed us from the burdensome commands of the Old Testament Law, but that is not a license to sin; but rather a covenant of grace.

There are nominal Christian sects that teach that.  But that is not what you hear preached in our pulpit as has been evidenced in our pastor’s recent sermons on the Ten Commandments. 

And that is the whole point of the epistle from James.  Obedience and good works are the evidences of salvation and without the evidence, there is good reason to doubt an actual conversion.  When God saves us, He begins the process of cleaning us up and making us fit to live forever in His presence.

The ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to convict us of our sin and bring us to repentance and obedience.  To ignore Him, and His laws, is tantamount to blasphemy and violations of the First, Second, and Third Commandments, and God will not tolerate it nor will He accept our worship.
 

There are many, many people today, who are resting in a false assurance that, because they responded to a preacher’s altar call, walked an aisle, and repeated a prayer, they are saved, but the real evidence of a new birth is an obedient life.

I hope this helps and I trust you are convinced that we are not identified as a church that teaches or practices antinomianism.

***Believe It Or Not, Everyone Has A Personal Relationship With God!

The God of creation; the God of the Bible, is your God whether you want Him or Not.

Does everyone have a personal relationship with God?  I would say, “Yes” but not in the way most Christian use that phrase today. In fact, I would have to say that no one has that kind of personal relationship with Jesus.

It is true that authentic, born-again Christians have a unique and intimate relationship with God; we are the elect of God, we have been redeemed, and our sins have been atoned.  The Spirit of God indwells us.

But the concept of a “personal” relationship with Jesus is not found in Scripture.  The idea of having “My own personal Jesus” is a relatively new invention of the pragmatic approach to modern evangelism.

Here is the biblical picture of our relationship; “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-2

The Church is described as the Bride of Christ.  So, a Christian’s life with Christ is not isolated or private.  When the Scriptures speak of believers, they are always part of a community or a fellowship of other believers.  Christianity is about the Bride’s relationship with Jesus.

   

Christianity is not a solo act.  It is not a private relationship between Jesus and me.  Jesus doesn’t have any secret concubines.   In the Old Testament economy, God formed Israel as His chosen people together in one body by His covenant.  And that is the way our relationship is with Jesus.  We (the Church) are His Bride.  When a sinner is saved, he is added “to the Church” by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

And that is why active Church membership is important.  It is within that body that we worship together and commune together in remembrance of His death and resurrection.

We sing together, pray together, confess and hold each other accountable together, rejoice together, and grieve together.

God gives each of His members gifts, not for our personal fulfillment, but for service within the body.  He knits us all together as members in the faith.  And He gives His church pastors to feed us, care for us, protect us, and guide us.

.

Having said all that, why would I suggest that everyone (both the saved and the lost) has a personal relationship with God?

God is a personal being and He created every one of us; both the saved and the lost “in His image” and it was a special unique creation. No one is hidden from Him or can escape Him. In fact, no one can live without Him.

  

He is omnipresent (present everywhere) always. And He is Sovereign (personally in control) over all things including the affairs of all men.

So, what about the final destiny of the lost? We have been taught that Heaven is where God is, and hell is where Satan is. We have been conditioned to believe that when a sinner dies and goes to hell, he will suffer forever, absent from God and under the punishment of Satan.

But that idea is not Scriptural either. In fact, it diminishes the Glory of God. We understand that God created everything for His purpose and it wasn’t because He was lonely or that He needed someone to love. He is neither diminished nor fulfilled by His creation. Before anything was created; He was complete in His triune being and lacked nothing. His work of creation was His pleasure and for His manifest glory.

And He is glorified in His work of salvation. We, whom He has saved, will enjoy Him forever knowing that our sins have been blotted out.

But God will also be glorified in His righteous judgments and He will not share that glory with anyone else; He will NOT delegate the execution of His righteous justice to a fallen creature (Satan). Satan will come under God’s good and final judgment as will all the lost when they are tormented in darkness and silence forever, as the results of their sins. And God will be there with His face, figuratively, turned away from them.   

“Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”   (Philippians 2:9-11)

In the end, every created being will know that God is, and all creation will show forth His Glory forever.

Ralph M. Petersen

****WHO IS YOUR GOD? (part 5. The Omnipresence of God)

Who’s your GOD? 

A brief description of the Attributes of God.

We can know nothing about God, except that, and ONLY that, which He has revealed to us.  And those attributes are found in Scripture.  If the god you worship is less than, more than or different from the ONE TRUE GOD of the Bible, then your God doesn’t exist.

Ralph M. Petersen

THE OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD

In part 2, we caught a brief glimpse of this attribute; because He is Spirit, God is not confined to a physical body in time and space. 

Here, I want to reemphasize that God is present everywhere always.  There is no place anywhere, past, present or future, in the entire universe of His creation, where He is not.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 

If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.    Psalm 139:7-10

People often question or doubt God’s presence during times of catastrophes or griefs or losses, about God being absent or negligent.  But they are wrong; God is there. 

Where was God during the 9-11-2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York?  He was in the cockpits with the pilots, He was in the towers when they began to collapse, and He was under the rubble with hundreds of people as they were being crushed to death.  God was there. 

“If God be infinite, He is omnipresent.  Suppose Him infinite, and then suppose there is anything besides Himself, and His presence with that thing, wherever it be, doth necessarily follow; for if He be so bounded as to be in His essence distant from anything, He is not infinite.”  John Owen

“Does the Lord turn Himself unto our prayer only after long delay?  Is not He omnipresent?  Is not every whispered and stammering prayer know to Him before there is yet a word in the tongue?”  Abraham Kuyper

Most people, to some degree, imagine that God is transcendent; He inhabits and rules from Heaven.   According to scripture, The Lord is enthroned in the heavens (Psalm 23:1).  He is exalted over all other rulers and authorities on earth (Psalm 97:9).  His throne is high and lifted up (Isa. 6:1) and His throne room is in Heaven (Rev. 4:1-2).

But He is also, always immanently present; He is with us in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).  He is ever present on earth and in heaven (Deut. 4:39).  He dwells in the high places and with the humble and lowly (Isa. 57:15).  He will be with His children to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20) and He will never leave them or forsake them (Heb. 13:5).

There is no place where God is not.  We often talk about the eternal existence of the lost in hell as being isolated from the presence of God but that idea is not supported in Scripture.  God is the one who actively and eternally administers His divine wrath in hell.  Rev. 14:10 describes that eternal (never-ending) punishment occurring “…in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

Many will rightfully argue that God cannot look on sin; that He will turn His countenance away from sinners.  But this is a part of His righteous vengeance and wrath on the unjust.     

Whenever I treat my wife poorly or inconsiderately, sometimes I get to the point where she suddenly turns her face away from me; “she gives me the cold shoulder.”  And then she gives me the silent treatment.  And that is not a fun place to be.  Nothing is right or happy in our relationship until I apologize.  I need her forgiveness and I can’t imagine what it would be like if she never forgave me.

In hell, God will turn His face away and there will never be any reconciliation, forever, for the inhabitants of hell.  They will exist eternally, in their sin.  And in the presence of the God whom they spurned, forever without any hope of forgiveness.

(Some material presented here has been quoted from "The Attributes of God" as published by Ligonier Ministries and influenced by the companion lectures of Steven Lawson)